News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Here are the latest obituaries and notices as provided by the funeral homes serving Cookeville, Baxter, Monterey, Sparta, Gainesboro and Livingston.
News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 brings you the daily obituaries each morning, Monday through Saturday, at 7:25am, during The Upper Cumberland This Morning and afternoons at 5:25pm during The Upper Cumberland At 5.
Local news, weather and sports on your way to and from work from News Talk 94.1/AM 1600.
Obituaries For Monday, September 19
Lorraine Tekla Geer, 93, of Sparta, Tennessee passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at NHC Healthcare of Sparta. Arrangements are pending.
Jerry Bell, 92 of Cookeville died Friday September 15, 2023 in Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are pending.
Kimberly Johnson, 55 of Cookeville died Friday September 15, 2023 in Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are pending.
Kathy Rose Crawford Kessler’s wishes of cremation are being honored and a memorial graveside service will be announced when a date and time becomes available to us. Kathy Rose Crawford Kessler, 64 of Silver Point died Monday, September 18, 2023 at her home. She was born September 25, 1958 in Cookeville to Juanita Hammock Crawford of Silver Point and the late Ellis Crawford. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a brother Larry Crawford.
She was a 1976 graduate of Upperman High School in Baxter and a homemaker. Survivors in addition to her mother include daughter and son-in-law Hailee and Taylor Cantrell of Lebanon, granddaughter Eloise Cantrell of Lebanon, Niece Amber Crawford great-niece Haven Crawford.
Gerald “Jerry” Bowler, age 76, of the Cumberland Cove Community of Monterey, passed away on Friday, September 15, 2023, at his home. Mr. Bowler was born on Saturday, June 28, 1947, in Newberry, Michigan, to the late Frank and Emma Coates Bowler. Mr. Bowler was a retired Kitchen Supervisor working for the State of Michigan. He was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Crossville serving on the Building and Grounds Committee. He was a former member of Mattawan Community Church in Michigan where he served as a Deacon. He is survived by his wife, Becky Bowler of the Cumberland Cove Community; daughter, Lynette and Jim Ross of Alanson, MI; son, Blaine Bowler of Petosky, MI; stepson, Sam Britt of Grand Rapids, MI; granddaughter, Ashleigh Ross of Alanson, MI; 3 sisters; In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 1 brother, and 5 sisters. His wishes of cremation are being honored with Celebration of Life Services to be announced at a later date.
Graveside Funeral Services for Danie Hargis, age 75, of Monterey, will be conducted on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Welch Memorial Cemetery. Rev. Tony Phipps will officiate. Mr. Hargis was born on Saturday, August 7, 1948, in Crawford, to the late Ruben and Bertha Ann Sisco Hargis. Mr. Hargis passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Mr. Hargis was retired from Flowserve. He was Baptist in faith. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Theresa Boronda Hargis of Monterey; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff Hargis and Jacky Wasik of the Willette Community, Ruben Shane and Shannon Hargis of Monterey, TN; 4 grandchildren, Mystica (Kyle) Willix, Savanna Hargis, Darien Hargis, and Bodhi Wasik-Hargis; 1 great granddaughter, Azariah Willix; 2 sisters, Betty Cleghorn of Algood, Geneva Simpson of Wallins Creek, KY; and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Homer Hargis, Charles Hargis, Clyde Hargis, Claude Hargis, Otis Hargis, Pauline Reed, and Juanita Reed. The family will receive friends at the Welch Memorial Cemetery for Graveside Services.
Celebration of Life Memorial Gathering for Linda “Geray” Welch, 56 of Cookeville, will be held Wednesday, September 20, 2023 from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Crest Lawn Funeral Home. Mrs. Welch passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at her home. Geray was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, Nana, aunt, and friend. She was a very strong person, often called a “fighter”. She was willing to help anyone that had a need. She was very funny, loved to cut up with anyone, and loved her family, especially her grandkids. She loved to craft, making her grandkids pictures, and loved to watching crafting videos. She enjoyed spending time with her family sitting on the backporch. Geray was loved by all that knew her and she will be greatly missed. Geray is survived by her children, Ashley Gilliland and partner Jonathan Kaulay, Anna (Timothy) Daniels, and Shae Welch.
The family of Mr. Robert Donald Austin, age 88 of Sparta, will receive friends on Thursday, September 21, 2023 from 1-2:00pm at Hunter Funeral Home. A private burial will be held in Highland Cemetery. The Austin family has entrusted Hunter Funeral Home with Robert’s cremation. He passed away at 8:48am on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at Alive Hospice in Nashville. Robert was born November 4, 1934 in Sparta, to the late Charles Dudley and Jennie Rogers Austin. He was a lifelong farmer. He loved his cattle and loved his land that had been in his family since it was still property of North Carolina before Tennessee became a state. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by a sister Joyce Juanita Austin. Survivors include his sister Joan Austin Jones and husband Peter Edward Jones of Tyler, Texas; Two nieces: Jennifer Anne Blice and husband Joe of Plano, TX, Lezlie Elizabeth Jones and husband Ken Fraley of Amarillo, TX; Two great-nieces: Elizabeth Blice and Charlotte Blice.
The family will receive friends after 11:00am Thursday at Hunter Funeral Home. Funeral services for Ms. Sandra Elaine Johnson Paschket will be conducted 1:00pm Thursday, September 21, 2023 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Elrod Cemetery. Sandra Elaine Johnson Paschket, age 61 of Nashville, a native of Sparta, passed away at 11:48am Sunday, September 17, 2023 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Sandra was born July 29, 1962 in Sparta, Tennessee to the late James Edward and Peggy Sue Cole Johnson. She had a long marketing career; however, her true passion was found as an artist. She was a skilled painter and photographer. Well known for her sense of humor, she also loved fashion, music, traveling and her beloved dog. She will be well remembered for all these things as well as her fighting spirit against her illness. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her brother Michael “Mike” Johnson; grandparents, Grace Johnson, Waymon and Nola Cole. Surviving family members left to cherish her memory include her two daughters Rachel Elaine Paschket and Hannah Rae Paschket; Sister: Susan Hutcheson; Aunts: Virginia Cantrell, Mary Parman, Evelyn Cole, Pamela Cole; Uncles: Gary Cole and Earl Johnson; A host of cousins and close friends also survive.
Graveside Service for Zella Lee Allen, 92 of Jackson County, will be held Friday, September 22, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Dodson Branch Cemetery. Mrs. Allen passed away on Saturday, September 16. She is survived by her children, Tammy Necessary and Marc (Amanda) Allen.
Funeral Service for Ruth Merlin Foster, 97 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 2:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Rev. Hailey Robinson officiating. Interment will follow in the Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Mrs. Foster passed from this life on Monday, September 18, 2023, at Uplands Village in Pleasant Hill. Ruth was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She attended the Cookeville First United Methodist Church for 60 years where she was a member of the Backsliders Class. She was a member of the Eastern Star and the Cookeville Country Club. She was well known for her knitting and her Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. She was loved by all that knew her, and she will be greatly missed. Ruth is survived by her children, Dianne (Lance) Limoges, Richard (Carolyn), Leon (Vicki) Foster and Virginia “Ginny” (Chris) Ellis. Visitation with the family will be held Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 11:00 am until the time of service at 2:00 pm at Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
The family of Allen Howard Allison, age 86 of Cookeville, will hold a public visitation in memory of him on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 3:00-6:00pm at Whitson Funeral Home. No services will be held. Mr. Allison passed away on September 10, 2023, at the Bethesda Healthcare in Cookeville. Allen Howard Allison was born on March 6, 1937, in Cookeville, to the late John Howard and Carrie Ella (Allen) Allison. He worked in the newspaper industry with circulation. Several newspaper affiliates he worked for were the Gannett, Banner, & Tennessean. Howard was a lifetime resident of Putnam County, and of the Protestant faith. In addition to his parents, Howard was preceded in death by his brother: Albert Glen Allison and sister: Johnie Ruth Allison Maddux Knowles. He is survived by his wife: Sharon D. Martin; Stepdaughter: Whitney Martin Chandler of Oviedo, Fla; Two Grandchildren: Aydan D. Chandler and Ayvree D. Chandler.
A celebration of life for Margie C. Dyer, 89 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 11 A.M. at Union Hill Church of Christ, Bloomington Springs. Bro Randy Bybee from Pippin Church of Christ, her home congregation, will officiate. Mrs. Dyer passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at her residence in Cookeville. She was married to the late Harold W. Dyer. She worked in retail and was a homemaker, and a member of the Pippin Church of Christ. She is survived by her daughters, Pam (Ronald L.) Winningham, and Vickie (Lance) Wells. The family has chosen cremation. Memorial donations may be made to the Union Hill Flatt Cemetery by contacting the funeral home, or by mailing a check payable to Union Hill Flatt Cemetery, Attn: Gregg Pippin, 600 Gainesboro Hwy, Baxter, TN 38544
